Adjustable Mounting Clip And System Using Same

ABSTRACT

An adjustable mounting clip for an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone or smart phone. The mounting clip may be adapted to be supported by a flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod. The mounting clip may support a variety of electronic device types with an automatically adjusting variable device receiver. The mounting clip may be adapted to retract into a compact stowed position when not in use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/665,934 to Hale, filed Nov. 01, 2012, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an adjustable mount, and a system usinga flexible support apparatus, such as a tripod, adapted to support anitem mounted in the adjustable mount.

2. Description of Related Art

Modern portable electronic devices, such as cellular telephones, may nowbe used for viewing as well. However, these items are typically small,flat, rectangular objects which may be difficult to place in anappropriate position for hands-free use while viewing. Also, thesedevices may come in a variety of sizes, such that a mounting clip mayneed to be adjustable in order to offer the versatility needed tosupport different devices.

The use of a portable electronic device may be enhanced with the use ofa tripod or other support structure. An adjustable clip adapted to workwith varying types of support structures may enhance its versatility.

What is called for is an adjustable mount which may adjust to support avariety of different types and sizes of modern devices, such as smartphones. What is also called for is an adjustable mount or clamp whichallows the mounting of the device to a support structure such as atripod.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed towards an adjustable mounting clipfor an electronic device, such as a cellular telephone or smart phone.The mounting clip may be adapted to be supported by a flexible supportapparatus, such as a tripod. The mounting clip may support a variety ofelectronic device types with an automatically adjusting variable clipreceiver.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-E illustrate an adjustable mounting clip in a deployedconfiguration according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustable mounting clip as it transitions from astowed to a deployed configuration according to some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip in a deployedconfiguration according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 4A-F illustrate an adjustable mounting clip in a stowedconfiguration according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate an adjustable mounting clip mounted onto a tripodin a stowed position according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip mounted onto a tripodin a deployed position supporting an electronic device according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is an exploded view of an adjustable mounting clip mounted ontoa flexible tripod supporting an electronic device according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip mounted onto a flexibletripod supporting an electronic device according to some embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates a mounting clip used in some embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIGS. 8B-C illustrate an adjustable mounting clip mounted onto aflexible tripod while supporting an electronic device according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of components of an adjustable mounting clipaccording to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-E illustrate an adjustable mounting clip 10 according to someembodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, theadjustable mounting clip is adapted to support an electronic device suchas a smart phone. The electronic device may also be a GPS device, aremote monitor, or other device. In some embodiments, an adjustablemounting clip 10 has a first gripping clip 11 and a second gripping clip12. The adjustable mounting clip 10 is adapted to attach to a supportstructure such as a tripod, or a flexible tripod, in some embodiments. Acentral portion 13 adapted to extendably join the first gripping clip 11and the second gripping clip 12. The central portion may allow forextension between the first gripping clip 11 and the second grippingclip 12 along guides 14, 15, which may include a spring loadedretraction aspect adapted to keep pressure on a device held by theadjustable mounting clip. The first gripping clip 11 and the secondgripping clip 12 may also be spring loaded such that they fold inwardinto a stowed configuration when not supporting an electronic device.

The first gripping clip 11 may have resilient portions 16 adapted toprovide friction against the device held by the adjustable mounting clip10. The second gripping clip 12 may have resilient portions 17 adaptedto provide friction against the device held by the adjustable mountingclip 10. The resilient portions 16, 17 may reside in inset portions ofthe gripping clips 11, 12 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, thegripping clips 11, 12 may be made of plastic. In some embodiments, theresilient portions 16, 17 may be co-molded to the gripping clips 11, 12.

The first gripping clip 11 may have a threaded insert 18 adapted toreceive a threaded post, such as may be found on a tripod, or on aremovable clip adapted to be inserted into a clip receiver, as may befound on a tripod. The first gripping clip 11 may have a lanyard hole 19which may be used to attach a lanyard which can be used to attach theadjustable mounting clip to another item.

FIG. 2 illustrates an adjustable mounting clip 10 in various states asit would be taken from a stowed configuration to a deployedconfiguration. In a fully stowed configuration, the adjustable mountingclip 10 may be adapted to take a very small amount of space, lendingwell to storage in small spaces, such as the pocket of a user. Thegripping clips may be in a U-shape, such that the gripping clips, whenfolded into a stowed configuration, reside outside of the centralportion 13. The gripping clips 11, 12 may reside in plane with thecentral portion 13 when stowed, such that the stowed configuration isextremely compact. In some embodiments, the adjustable mounting clip 10is spring loaded such that the gripping clips 11, 12 are broughttogether under spring force. The gripping clips 11, 12 may be extendedfrom each other by the user, in order to be of a proper size for a helddevice. Once the user is no longer pulling the two ends away from eachother, the spring loaded aspect of the adjustable mounting clip willthen close down on the device being held. The combination of the springloaded aspect of the clip, and the resilient portions of the grippingclips, allow for a very sure grip of the held device.

The use of an adjustable mounting clip gives the distinct advantage ofallowing the user to hold and position an electronic device, such as asmart phone, in a convenient position for viewing. For example, theadjustable mounting clip may be mounted to a tripod which may be placedupon a table, or an airplane seat's foldout tray, for viewing and use.The expandable aspect of the central portion 13 allows for use with avariety of sizes of electronic devices.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip 10 in perspectiveviews according to some embodiments of the present invention. Theadjustable mounting clip 10 is adapted to receive and hold an electronicdevice, or other device. A central portion 13 adapted to extendably jointhe first gripping clip 11 and the second gripping clip 12. The centralportion may allow for extension between the first gripping clip 11 andthe second gripping clip 12 along guides 14, 15, which may include aspring loaded retraction aspect adapted to keep pressure on a deviceheld by the adjustable mounting clip. One or more of the guides 14, 15may include a spring system adapted to apply a contracting force betweenthe first gripping clip 11 and the second gripping clip 12.

FIGS. 4A-F illustrate an adjustable mounting clip in a stowedconfiguration according to some embodiments of the present invention.The way in which the parts integrate into a stowed whole allows forstorage in a small space. The gripping clips 11, 12 may be adapted topivot from a stowed position parallel to the central portion 13 to adeployed position perpendicular to the central portion 13. The grippingclips 11, 12 may be U-shaped such that in the stowed position the clipsreside outside of the central portion, allowing for a very compactco-planar stowed position.

FIGS. 5A-C illustrate an adjustable mounting clip 10 attached to a smallfolded tripod 30, such as a miniature ball tripod, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The tripod may have a plurality oflegs which may fold together in order to form a small stowed unit ofclip and tripod. The adjustable mounting clip is adapted to receive anelectronic device. The combination of the adjustable mounting clip 10and the small folded tripod 30 present a very compact system adapted tohold a device. In some embodiments, the tripod 30 has three legs whichrotate around a center ball such that the three legs are parallel whenin a stowed position. The tripod may have a threaded post which matesinto the threaded insert 18 of the adjustable mounting clip. With theadjustable mounting clip in a stowed configuration, the tripod and theclip may align such that the long axis of the stowed clip is parallel tothe long axis stowed tripod.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the tripod legs areadapted to rotate from a first position, which is a closed, or stowed,configuration and seen in FIGS. 5A-C, to an open, or deployed, positionas seen in FIGS. 6A-B. In some embodiments, the tripod legs may havetips which may be of a material adapted to provide more friction whilein use.

In some embodiments, the stowed position of the tripod places the legsdirectly adjacent such that they are stowed together into a unitarystowed leg assembly. The rings of the ends of the legs may be adaptedsuch that when in a deployed position the rings have stops which preventfurther rotation of the legs past a point which places the legs in atripod configuration.

A central body ring provides an external surface adapted to provide asupport and guide surface to the ends of the legs, which may be ringsadapted to fit around the central body ring. Within the central bodyring there may be a socket adapted to receive a ball connector. The ballconnector may be spherical in its contact area with the socket. Athreaded post may protrude from the ball connector and be adapted tosupport a device such as a camera, or to mate to an adjustable mountingclip, or other device. The rings of the legs may have sufficientfriction with the central body ring such that the legs may be rotatedinto either a stowed or a deployed configuration, but will stay in theposition under typical usage loads. The ball connector may havesufficient friction with the socked of the interior of the central bodyring such that once placed in a selected position the ball tends not tomove during typical use.

FIGS. 6A-B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip 10 holding anelectronic device 31 mounted onto a miniature ball tripod 30. The balltripod 30 is in a deployed configuration wherein the legs have beenrotated into a position adapted to support the system. An apparatus suchas this affords the user the convenience of using a tripod as a supportstand for watching video on a personal player, for example, and the useof the adjustable mounting clip allows the user to custom tailor theirsystem for the player being viewed.

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate an adjustable mounting clip 10 with a clip 32mounted onto a flexible tripod 33 according to some embodiments of thepresent invention. The clip 32 may be adapted to attach to theadjustable mounting clip 10 along the central portion 13. The flexibletripod may have a body portion, which provides a base of support forthree flexible legs. The flexible legs may consist of a series ofinterconnected ball and socket joint connectors. The flexible legs areable to be flexed into a variety of positions and can be used to supportthe body portion by forming tripod support. The flexible legs are ableto adapt to uneven surfaces to allow the tripod to function in a varietyof situations. The body portion itself may have a series ofinterconnected ball and socket joint connectors within it, allowing foreven more flexibility with regard to its mounting function.

Although the flexible legs are illustrated as functioning legs, the legsare of sufficient flexibility that the may be used to wrap around itemssuch as bars or other objects in order to fasten the tripod apparatus toobjects that would not be suitable for mounting of a typical tripod. Inconjunction with the gripping portion, this allows the tripod apparatusto be fastened to a variety of objects. For example, when used toposition a digital camera, the legs may wrap around a vertical gaterail, allowing the mounting of the camera for a photo taking opportunitynot previously available.

In some embodiments, the body portion is connected to an interconnectportion adapted to receive a clip 35, illustrated in FIG. 8A. A clip 35may be removably fastened to the interconnect portion. The clip 35 mayhave a threaded post 34 adapted to fit into a camera or other device insome embodiments.

In some embodiments, the flexible legs may use connectors that have aco-molded gripping portion. The gripping portions may allow for use ofthe tripod in a variety of ways, including wrapping of the legs around apost or other object. In some embodiments, the flexible legs may beterminated with a gripping pod. The gripping pod may be fully moldedinto the cavity of the connector.

FIGS. 8B-C illustrate further uses of an adjustable mounting clip with atripod mounting clip attached thereto, clipped in the clip receiver of atripod with flexible legs.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative exploded view of an adjustable mounting clip10 according to embodiments of the present invention. The first grippingclip 11 is pivotally attached to an end of the central portion 13 by apin 21. The second gripping clip 12 is pivotally attached to a sliderend 22 by a pin 22. The guides 14, 15 are adapted to slide within thecentral portion 13 while attached at a first end to the slider end 22.Springs 23 surround the guides 14, 15 and are adapted to retract theadjustable mounting clip 10 such that is places moderate pressure on asupported device while supporting it, or to pull the clip into thestowed configuration when no device is held within it. End attachments24, 26, 27 are used to restrain a second end of the springs such thatthey restrain extension of the second end 12 from the first end 11.

As evident from the above description, a wide variety of embodiments maybe configured from the description given herein and additionaladvantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in theart. The invention in its broader aspects is, therefore, not limited tothe specific details and illustrative examples shown and described.Accordingly, departures from such details may be made without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the applicant's general invention.

I claim:
 1. An adjustable mounting clip for an electronic device, saidadjustable mounting clip comprising: a middle portion, said middleportion extendable along a first axis, said middle portion having afirst end and a second end, said middle portion comprising a unitarycentral body; a first gripping clip, said first gripping clip attachedto a first end of said middle portion; and a second gripping clip, saidsecond gripping clip attached to a second end of said middle portion;wherein said extension of said middle portion is resisted with a springwithin said middle portion.
 2. The adjustable mounting clip of claim 1wherein said middle portion comprises: an outer body; and one or moretubes extendable from within said outer body.
 3. The adjustable mountingclip of claim 2 where said one or more tubes extendable from within saidouter body comprises two tubes.
 4. The adjustable mounting clip of claim3 wherein said tubes comprise springs within said tubes.
 5. Theadjustable mounting clip of claim 4 wherein said springs resistextension of said first end of said middle portion from said second endof said middle portion.